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Nowhere on this list is Bill Burrell, the first black #Illini football captain. In his sophomore year, 1957, the future All-American was named second team all-Big Ten, alongside senior Ray Nitschke (who is among the 2020 HOF class). (Thread) https://twitter.com/JWerner247/status/1247535737240576002
Burrell went on to be the Big Ten Player of the Year and a Heisman finalist. Second team All-Big Ten was the highlight of Nitschke’s #Illini career. No disrespect to Ray, an all-time pro, but the records of these men don’t match if this is the *Illinois* Athletics Hall of Fame.
Burrell himself told Loren Tate In 1993 that Nitschke “couldn’t hold (his) jock” in college. As an #Illini, Nitschke wasn’t even named the MVP *of his own team*
So I guess this is my annual reminder that UI continues to neglect Bill. For four decades, UI failed to nominate Burrell, one of 4 #Illini Heisman finalists ever, for the college football Hall of Fame (the other three? All HOF members). (End thread) https://www.pjstar.com/sports/20170511/why-is-former-illini-star-bill-burrell-not-in-college-football-hall-of-fame
